Very little is reported in the Topeka papers about these games. Most of the
information reported here comes from the yearbooks of the period with newspaper
confirmation of scores and dates. There were several exhibitions or scrimmages
during this period and I have listed the ones that were reported in the
yearbooks. I went ahead and counted the Lincoln Jr. High and Topeka B teams as
official games. TCHS physical size and experience was closer to these
non-varsity teams and they do qualify as scholastic units (not alumni groups,
town teams, etc.). I may try to find some reports in out-of-town papers of some
of these games. The 1923 season included 2 games with Silver Lake. The 1924
SHAMROCK (TCHS Annual) commented on the second game won by TCHS 7-6. Silver Lake
players wore helmets with the KKK markings and wore jerseys labeled "100% Americans".
Francisco Vargas led our guys to victory. Rockhurst
treated our players real well before and after the game. They were also praised
for playing a "clean" game - but they did hand out the worst football
loss ever - 95-0.

TCHS did not have a football season in 1924. In 1925 and 1926 the school
played in the Shawnee County football league. There is some variance between
newspaper and yearbook score reporting. The newspaper report of the score is
listed first in these instances. TCHS skipped the football season in 1927.
Football equipment of this period provided little protection for the smaller
player - so physical size was a greater factor during this era. TCHS would often
schedule a game with a team after being assured that weight of opponents was
comparable to the TCHS players. At game time several giants (180 plus) would
show up across the line. Lack of numbers and safety concerns had to be evaluated
before committing to a schedule. TCHS revived football in 1928 - but did not
commit to a league schedule. Many dates listed on this page are estimated.

1921 TCHS Football Team (1922 Shamrock) Fr. McInerney brought back
football and was able to get new uniforms. These may have been the first
uniforms ever worn by a TCHS team.

A recent review of this year by a more careful analysis of
the microfilm record of the Topeka Daily Capital requires some changes
to the record for 1922. The
first change to note is that Frank Howe was identified as the football
coach in three different game reports. Kelly was previously listed as
the coach because the 1924
yearbook stated that Coach Kelly "began his work the last football
season." As I read it now - I think they were referring to the football
season of 1923 and I took that statement to mean
last year's football season (1922).

Various articles state that Frank Howe was a former half
back for the Navy at Annapolis. I can't find a record of Howe as a
letterman at Navy. I do show records (through Anccestry.com) of a Frank
A Howe who
served in the U.S. Navy and was fireman for the City of Topeka.

Jack Rossiter was the team captain. Francisco Vargas was a
standout at end for the 20 man Topeka Catholic High School. Scores with
a * for this year could not be found in the Topeka
Daily Capital, but are listed in the 1923 yearbook.